Pro Evolution Soccer 2012

By Reardon Jones

The latest addition to the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise maintains the strong level of gameplay that has made PES a lasting series.

Unlike FIFA, the PES franchise lacks a variety of teams. For instance, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the only teams included from the English Premier League.

In saying this, PES does have exclusive licensing of UEFA, including UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.

Also, gaining a license from CONMEBOL to utilise Copa Santander Libertadores, allows gamers access to assume the reigns of South American Teams such as Santos and Independiente.

As far as gameplay goes it is an improvement on its predecessor and runs pretty smooth. This is no surprise considering Konami have given the AI engine a complete overhaul to recreate the very essence of top level football in style and strategy.

PES has strived to enhance its attacking play with PES 12. Introducing the capabilty for gamers to dicate the pace of movement with new AI elements that allow more team orientated play through the Teammate Control System (It still amazes us how well developers can replicate the real life soccer movements).

This new system allows gamers to control a secondary player during open play, throw-ins and set plays. For newcomers to the world of digital soccer entertainment this will make scoring that crucial goal just that little bit easier and oh, so much sweeter. 

It allows gamers to be more precise with their offensive manouvres.

Players can make dummy runs to draw defenders and create space for offensive presses. Reacting to the player with the ball is also enhanced creating a more cohesive team performance.

Similar to improvements in FIFA 12, PES 12 has changed its defensive structures. More emphasis is placed on zonal marking and positional defending.

Other changes include selecting at any time, with the cursor, a team mate without the ball to run into space or cover a defender. We found this works best at stoppages and corner kicks as you can designate a players line and timing to header the perfect goal.

The Artificial Intelligence is in our opinion the most important aspect in sporting games. In this regard, PES 12 is first rate, AI players defend more independently and are not based on immediate pressure. Players run off opponents to increase the speed in which the play moves or to defend gaps in defence.

The developers at Konami have focused on delivering a realistic footballing game. This is evident with the realism of defensive and offensive challenges. Different players have specific skills that relate to their real-life character. Stronger players hold their ground more, but faster, more agile players can skip around these solid brutes.

We were met with countless interactions throughout the game that replicate real world football and real world situations.

For those people that dont understand the appeal of soccer and claim "it's so boring", PES should set you straight. Shifting from player to player rapidly makes for some incredible gameplay and we found ourselves getting deeply involved in the game.

With heavily tweaked animation and more detailed lighting techniques, the game looks classy, although at times the graphics do let the game down. Close ups of players and the Keeper look quite blocky. I guess a game like PES 2012 that has top rate gaming mechanics should be backed up with an incredible look also.

I am nit picking now. The game looks good, minus a few glaring visual hiccups.

Pro Evo 12 has a solid online component with a variety of game modes available.

People are always asking, FIFA or Pro Evo? In a very close race with their 2012 versions, we believe FIFA is a slightly better all round package this year.

Despite not being able to play as my supported English team (only France, Netherlands and Spanish leagues are the fully licensed leagues), PES 2012 is a game worth getting into.

Replicating top-flight football to a tee with hours of game play and a newer, cleaner and faster style there is no reason why you wont find this one a worthy addition to the Pro Evo franchise.   

Check out our FIFA 12 review here.

Game: Pro Evolution Soccer 2012
System: Playstation 3
Developer/Co-Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Publisher: Konami

Rating: 85%

(Ratings Key/Explanation)